Space Domain Awareness Modeling & Analysis Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 249,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

401(k) Plan with employer contribution

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking an Engineering Specialist to join the Sensor Modeling and Simulation Department (SMSD). You will model and validate SDA systems, write physics-based code, and work with government customers to ensure performance meets requirements.

A bachelor’s degree and eight years of experience are required, with US citizenship and the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Eight years of experience in remote sensing system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, phenomenology, or applications (Sr. Eng. Specialist requires twelve).
• Strong leadership and ability to work independently or with a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine models and simulations of SDA systems in optical and infrared wave bands.
• Forge physics-based code to model and assess system performance against requirements.
• Collaborate with government customers and lead small teams on end-to-end modeling tools.
• Design experiments or collection campaigns to validate SDA system performance.
• Evaluate sensor configuration impacts in hardware and operational contexts.
• Present findings to government and stakeholders to aid verification of requirements.

Skills

Remote Sensing

Python

C++

Leadership

Communication

Travel readiness

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Remote Sensing or related field

Eight years of relevant experience

Tools

Git

Jira

Confluence

FORTRAN

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD! The Sensor Modeling and Simulation Department (SMSD) supports all aspects of advanced remote sensing system development: designing and assessing the performance of optics and electro-optical focal plane arrays, modeling the end-to-end sensing system, simulating target scenes and atmospheres, developing innovative data processing and computer vision algorithms, and producing simulated data products for new applications.Our expertise, combined with sophisticated in-house laboratories and prototyping capabilities, enables SMSD to deliver innovative solutions to national space systems and civil customers. The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility at Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and refine models and simulations of space domain awareness (SDA) systems in optical and infrared wave bands
• Forge physics-based code to model and assess system performance against multiple requirements
• Construct techniques for defining system performance requirements and advise government customers on best practices and trade considerations
• Develop methodology and design associated experiments or collection campaigns to validate SDA system performance
• Evaluate the performance impact of different sensor configuration and/or implementation strategies in both hardware and operational aspects
• Collaborate with and/or lead small teams of engineers and scientists in developing end-to-end system and performance modeling tools across multiple software interfaces
• Present your work to government and other stakeholders to aid definition and verification of system requirements and performance

What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Specialist

Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or another related discipline Eight years of experience after bachelor’s degree with remote sensing system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, characterization, phenomenology, and/or applications High aptitude for leadership and ability to work independently or collaboratively Strong scientific programming skills (particularly in C++ and Python) and familiarity with software version control systems (git) Analytical and creative problem‑solving skills Strong written and oral communication skills Willingness to travel approximately 10% of time This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Sr. Engineering Specialist: Twelve years of experience after bachelor’s degree with remote sensing system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, characterization, phenomenology, and/or applications Demonstrated experience modeling SDA sensors

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or another related discipline
• Demonstrated experience with modeling and simulation of sensor performance in SDA (optical and infrared) systems
• Proficiency with image reduction pipelines (i.e., removal of bias, gain correction etc.)
• Familiarity with agile software development and Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence). Working knowledge of FORTRAN
• Background in evaluating sensor hardware performance
• Proven track record in leadership and ability to mentor junior staff
• Current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $129,000.00 - $249,600.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results
• Ways

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits. Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place / Right Path / Right Purpose

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges. Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development. Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.